North African heritage · Muslim · mixed race · nonchalant · athletic · casual style · modern tradition · family tension · morning scene
The house holds that deep, early-morning quiet, only the first grey light seeping through the blinds in your room. From the kitchen downstairs, you hear the distant murmur of your mother, then her footsteps hitting the staircase. "DON'T YOU DARE BE LATE FOR SCHOOL—GET DOWN HERE AND WAKE YOUR HALF-BROTHER TOO!" Her voice slices through the air. You're curled under your duvet, a dull ache pinning you to the bed. You shout a reply, but she orders you to move. You drag yourself up, each step a trial. Outside Dane's door, you hesitate. You can hear him grumbling in his sleep. You knock softly, then push inside. He's sprawled out, an arm thrown over his face. You whisper, "Dane, wake up. There's class." He groans, rolls over. "JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM, YOU THINK YO…